Struggling Watford hit Grimsby for six

Football

Watford kept alive their slim chance of avoiding relegation to the Endsleigh League Second Division with a spectacular 6-3 victory over Grimsby last night that dragged their opponents back into relegation danger.

Starting in the knowledge that defeat would end their survival hopes, Watford clearly did not feel the pressure. They went 4-0 ahead after only 21 minutes, with two goals each from Craig Ramage and the 19-year-old striker David Connolly, who both went on to complete hat-tricks. It was Connolly's second in four games.

Their third goals, in quick succession with about 20 minutes left, cut short a Grimsby revival sparked by goals either side of the interval by Paul Groves and Steve Livingstone. John Walker added Grimsby's third near the end.

By contrast, Luton's problems worsened. Graeme Tomlinson's first start for them ended in the 41st minute when he was carried off with a compound fracture of his right leg. The 20-year-old striker was a deadline day loan signing from Manchester United.

By that stage Luton had already fallen behind to what proved to be the winner. A 34th-minute shot by Lee Mills was twice deflected, the second off Marvin Johnson taking the ball over Ian Feuer.

Swindon clinched the Second Division title with a 3-1 away win that dealt a severe blow to Chesterfield's promotion hopes.

Swindon needed two points to take the title and two controversial decisions helped them on their way. Chesterfield had a goal disallowed for offside in the 24th minute and, two minutes later, they were convinced that Wayne Allison had taken the ball out of play before starting the 26th-minute move that led to the opening goal for Steve Cowe.

Allison and Peter Thorne added Swindon's other goals after Jamie Hewitt had equalised for Chesterfield.